Letter: Ditch snack machines in schools

Posted: February 8, 2014 - 5:22pm

I attended elementary school in Kansas City, Mo., from 1931 until 1939. We had drinking fountains — almost an unmentioned item in 2014. There were no dispensers for pop or snacks. I walked to school most days and usually went home for lunch. I lived four blocks from my first school and a little farther from the second school I attended. I survived pretty well for 88 years without having had such “refreshments” during my school years, including college and medical school.

I think it is ridiculous that boards of education and school administrations allow snack and soda dispensing machines in their schools. No wonder obesity is on the rise. And most kids are bused or driven to school (reducing their physical exercise).

I know the reasoning for having these purveyors of unnecessary calories — they provide a few extra dollars for school activities. But I think that is a poor way of getting those extra bucks at the detriment of the students’ physical condition.

I’m not interested in the profits of any of the snack and soda manufacturing companies (and I own shares of Coca-Cola) when it comes to tempting schoolchildren. Where are the spines of school board members and school administrations?

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Well, times change. And the snack and beverage vending machines in the schools offer many healthy snacks and beverages and the water fountains are in good use. You cannot legislate and dictate personal lifestyles and choices nor should they be legislated. If you remove the vending machines, students will only bring snacks and beverages from home. So, what has been accomplished at the end of the day? Government needs to back off and stop the tyranny of controlling personal and individual choices and lifestyles. Enough.

Obesity has many other origins and it's subject has been misused as a social engineering tool that has been adopted by those who believe they know what is best to the point of feeling the right to dictate their beliefs on personal choices. Obesity has always existed but was never tracked and documented as it has been in the past couple of decades and there is no argument it is a problem. A problem that needs to be dealt with in alternative manners rather than mandates and laws.

While the letter writer is quick to condemn the vending machines in the school and is quick to demonize the effects of soda on obesity, the writer also claims to own stock in Coca-Cola. Quite an example of hypocrisy at it's best. While it seems acceptable to own stock in a soda company that is profitable it is not acceptable for students to consume the soda manufactured by the very company whose profits grease the palm of the stockholder. Unbelievable.

Rather, programs that encourage healthy habits and incorporate physical activity are more productive in addressing the true root of the obesity issue. Everything in moderation is a much more effective message along with promoting the same. Schools do a pretty good job in those areas, especially in promoting healthy choices and in incorporating increased interest and participation in physical activity endeavors.

Poverty is another enormous contributor that continually is ignored by those engaging in efforts to regulate and mandate dietary intake. Low income people simply cannot afford to purchase the foods that are most healthy. Fresh fruits and vegetables are expensive; lean meats are more expensive and healthy fish alternatives are extremely cost prohibitive.

The cheapest food items are high in food additives and preservatives, carbohydrates, sugar, etc. When left with little to spend on food, the items affordable are cheap juice drinks, pasta, potatoes, beans, rice, cheap snack foods, processed meats, minced fish products, ramen noodles, cheap peanut butter and jellies, cheap canned vegetables and fruit, etc. Food items that are 'cheap' contains many additives, fillers, high sugar content, high cholesterol and carbs with diminished nutritional value and higher levels of fats. That is a reality no one wants to try to tackle and one that is a high contributor to obesity and it's lifetime habits.

Since the arena of poverty and it's effects on obesity is a difficult one, it is ignored as the battle ground. Rather, the easiest battle ground is to attempt to regulate and legislate personal choice.

To equate lifestyles that existed decades ago to lifestyles in 2014 is unrealistic and ludicrous. The lifestyles decades ago were dictated by circumstance. Had there been easy access to transportation options decades ago, then walking everywhere would also have diminished. Had there been large grocery stores with massive options of food purchase choices, then eating habits would also have been different decades ago.

Poverty is a factor, but not always a solid one. Good nutrition can be purchased cheaper than some junk food. Those considered to be in poverty often spend money better spent on necessities on non-necessities, then want others to pay for necessities. Governments act stupidly at times. They are instruments of right at times. Obesity is a "neighborhood" problem. No one should be made fun of. There are physiological reasons for obesity. There are also a lot of excuses. Some is just stubborn selfishness. Sometimes love makes one look at self. We expect alcoholics and "druggies" to face self. We live in a society anymore which for the most part figures if "I'm" not personally affected why care? We expect the government to protect us, but tell them to leave us alone. Obesity is a national epidemic with immediate and long term effects. It's an expensive epidemic. Things do change, not always for the good.
Some schools have taken out the machines and to some extent taken back their schools. We can make excuses or we can seek solutions. Some actually enjoy the fruits of the chaos of the past 40-50 years of "freedom". Hedonism is really slavery. As a recovering addict I know it's easy to live in denial. I also know one doesn't have to stay there. Some folks drink soda in moderation. Does it make one a hypocrite to own stock in a company because some abuse a product? Our own irresponsibility often has consequences.Most of the time with a ripple effect. Some adults don't want it themselves and many teach their children. Be not deceived, eventually it will be dealt with. Hebrews 12 tells us providential discipline is a sign of love. God has throughout history has used governments to discipline. We can consider ourselves truly blessed. Not sure how long man was here before God sent Noah. Noah preached for 120 years and folks ignored him, they continued to destroy themselves. The flood came. Things are not looking good in the present. If we resist discipline, we eventually hasten our own demise.

There wouldn't be a need for snack machines. Thanks Michelle. You've made it so kids that do nothing but classwork are starving when they get home, not to mention the athletes that are burning mega calories working out, practicing and playing games.